Nicklas Lidstrom will retire after an illustrious career that includes seven Norris Trophies as the NHL's top defenseman and four Stanley Cup championships, a league source confirmed to MLive.

The Red Wings have scheduled a news conference for 11 a.m. Thursday, during which Lidstrom and general manager Ken Holland will speak.

No other details were immediately available and club officials could not be reached for comment.

"I'll let him make his announcement. He's earned that right," general manager Ken Holland told reporters today at the GM meetings in New York.

Lidstrom, 42, said after the season that he would take some time to decide on his future.

He said at the time that he was confident in his ability to continue playing at a high level and that his health and his age were not concerns.

He said he has faith in the organization's ability to maintain a talented and competitive roster and the motivation to win another Stanley Cup still runs deep.

But Lidstrom said he wasn't sure if he still has the drive to train the way he needs to over the summer to be prepared for another long and grinding season. And, his family might want to return to his native Sweden.

"I feel physically I can still play," Lidstrom said on April 24, when players cleaned out their lockers at Joe Louis Arena. "I can contribute, but you have to be motivated and you have to have the drive. … It's the grind, that workout six or seven times a week. It's hard."